diff --git a/geocoder/uscensus.py b/geocoder/uscensus.py
index 2f2817ed..6bd440da 100644
--- a/geocoder/uscensus.py
+++ b/geocoder/uscensus.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def address(self):
     @property
     def housenumber(self):
         if self.address:
-            match = re.search('^\d+', self.address, re.UNICODE)
+            match = re.search(r'^\d+', self.address, re.UNICODE)
             if match:
                 return match.group(0)